60,000 patients put on death pathway without being told but minister still says controversial end-of-life plan is ‘fantastic’ (UK)

Submitted by IWB, on December 31st, 2012

Pathway involves the sick being sedated and usually denied nutrition and fluids
Families kept in the dark when doctors withdraw lifesaving treatment
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said pathway was a ‘fantastic step forward’
Anti-euthanasia group said: ‘The Pathway is designed to finish people off double quick’

Up to 60,000 patients die on the Liverpool Care Pathway each year without giving their consent, shocking figures revealed yesterday.

A third of families are also kept in the dark when doctors withdraw lifesaving treatment from loved ones.

Despite the revelations, Jeremy Hunt last night claimed the pathway was a ‘fantastic step forward’.